California SMOG, Help Anyone

[SD76CJ]

I have a 1976 AMC 304 that I need to get smogged in California, or figure out a way around it. It was originally in Arizona and I bought it from an owner in Julian which is a smog exempt county in San Diego. Most/all of the original smog equipment is gone and I am really hoping not to have to hunt each piece down. Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank You

 

[Jake]

I got my 80 CJ7 AMC 304 in washington an had to do the same. Looked for every shady smog guy in nor cal..... No luck. I posted an add on craigslist and was able to get a pull off manifold/carb and air cleaner for $200, had to have a cat convert installed for 200 an got a old smog pump and brackets from j&w auto wreckers in Sacramento for AMC 150 . I Already had aftermarket edelbrock headers that were smogable. Swapped the manifold/carb and hooked up the pump. It took a few hours because the smog brackets were tough to find a diagram. Once it passed, swapped the performer and 4bbl back in. Only have to do the swap every two years. I would offer them to you to pass but it's a good idea to have if you are planning on keeping the jeep. Let me know if I can help.

Jake

 

[gert]

You can get around some of it by going to a 50 state legal EFI set up but your stuck finding a charcol canister and air cleaner at minimum

 

[SD76CJ]

I looked into the efi, and it looks like at min $800-$1,000. I'm not sure if I want to put that much into the motor, because long term I'd rather put that towards a whole new motor. I have been looking at registering in CA exempt counties or trying to register in AZ or out of state any advice? I'd be willing to pick up the smog parts if it's not too difficult to get the smog taken care of. It sounds like you spent about $450 just getting the smog parts though Jake?

 

[Jake]

Yes, I took it to the local smog inspector and had him take a look before I did anything.I would make sure before you spend any money, you make sure it's worth it. If you are planning on keeping it, I would pick up the smog stuff because you will need it every two years. The out of state can work if you have someone's address you can use. It would save some serious money.

 

[chodette]

I have an extra charcoal canister out of a 70-something. I picked up a smog pump and mounting bracket on Craigslist, and the guy threw in the canister, but I still have my original one. I am in pretty much the same boat, I had my Jeep shipped from Arkansas (my dad bought if for me when I turned 16) and of course all the emissions were off of it. I am doing a complete frame-off, so I just try to pick things up as I see them. Hoping I can eventually find it all before I am ready to put it back together.

Let me know if you need it. You pay shipping and it's yours!

 

[MattPeterson]

get the howell efi, and put it on your new engine.
Jeep TBI Products :: TBI KIT: 1972-93 304, 360, 401 V-8 Jeep/AMC, Offroad - Howell Engine Developments, Inc..
I put one on my 76 CJ7 I6 and it works good

 

[the chief]

I have been looking at registering in CA exempt counties or trying to register in AZ or out of state any advice?

You can register it in a smog exempt county (it's all about the zip code), there's a box to check on the form for this that allows you to keep your old mailing address (for annual registration purposes). However, you'll have to pass smog initially if the vehicle changes hands or is brought in from another state. I'm not sure about registering in another state but I would think that would catch up to you eventually.

 

[SD76CJ]

EUREKA!!!! I Have been working to get this resolved and I think I have the ultimate solution. I was reviewing my title and the VIN on the car my VIN is J5F on the title and the vehicle, but my title has Model YR 1976, which is incorrect. Everything I have researched says that VIN is for 1975!! Smog Exempt!

 

[the chief]

EUREKA!!!! I Have been working to get this resolved and I think I have the ultimate solution. I was reviewing my title and the VIN on the car my VIN is J5F on the title and the vehicle, but my title has Model YR 1976, which is incorrect. Everything I have researched says that VIN is for 1975!! Smog Exempt!

That is good news, however, I think it has to pass CA smog one time initially when imported from another State to become an exempt CA vehicle. Also, you may have a fight on your hands to change the specified year of manufacture on the title but I wish you good luck on it!

 

[SD76CJ]

It is currently registered in state, so I don't think that will be an issue. From everything I have read the second number in the VIN indicates the model year, which I'm thinking won't be too much trouble, maybe they made the mistake when it came from AZ to CA.

 

[the chief]

I've been down this road before. I believe a '75 must still pass smog one time when it changes hands unless it's been smogged within the last two months. If this is the case, maybe you could borrow or rent the correct emmission control parts from another CJ of that era from someone in a club near you?

 

[billyocup]

I've been down this road before. I believe a '75 must still pass smog one time when it changes hands unless it's been smogged within the last two months. If this is the case, maybe you could borrow or rent the correct emmission control parts from another CJ of that era from someone in a club near you?

I just registered my 75 at the beginning of the year and didn't have to smog it. It's a good thing too, because like yours, most all of the smog parts are gone. You still may have a hard time convincing DMV to change the year on the registration though. Good Luck!

 

[SD76CJ]

Success! The vehicle was already registered in CA, so all they did was update the title, SMOG EXEMPT! Thanks for all the input and offers for help.

 

[the chief]

whew! congrats!